Advanced Placement U.S. Government & Politics
Summer Assignment
Miss Buchieri
2013-2014 School Year
AP U.S. Government and Politics is designed to provide students an analytical perspective on government and politics in the
United States. This course involves both the study of general concepts used to interpret political institutions and the analysis of
specific case studies. Students will acquire knowledge about various U.S. political institutions, organizations, beliefs, and ideas
that contribute to U.S. political theory and their practical applications. The course requires critical thinking and analytical skills
relative to political concepts.
In the interest of best preparing students for this course the following required summer assignment is provided. All components
of this assignment are mandatory and contribute to A.P. U.S. Government and Politics.
Reading The Federalist Papers
Required essays: 1, 10, 39, 51, & 84.
Students must acquire a copy of The Federalist Papers and read the selected essays from this book. A fundamental
understanding of the U.S. Constitution is not fully complete without these essays. Various editions with analysis exist. (You may
simply choose to read the essays with no analysis provided.) This book can be borrowed from the Columbus Metropolitan Library
system, or you can purchase it at numerous retail outlets. (Amazon.com is a great site with reasonable prices.)
Due Date: an essay pertaining to this reading will be assigned during the first unit, and subsequent units will benefit from a
familiarity to this text.
Current Events Notebook
Beginning the week of June 10th thru the week of July 29th you are to provide three articles per week (for a total of 24 articles)
from a major news outlet (reputable print, broadcast, or internet). Provide the following:
Copy of article (including citation)
1 paragraph summary
1 paragraph your opinion
No sports or entertainment.
This notebook will be collected Tuesday, September 3, 2013.
Analysis of Media
Summarize and analyze four newspaper or magazine articles.
These articles must be different from the articles used for the notebook. Provide the following:
Copy of article (including citation)
1 paragraph summary
1 paragraph analysis of what the article communicates about the U.S. political process. For example, what does the
article tell us about:
-the role/influence of political parties
-voter behavior
-the media
-campaigns
-role of the federal government
-role of the state government
-role of special interests
-influence of money on politics
-power of the legislative branch
-power of the president
(you are not limited to analysis based on this list; these are merely suggestions.)
These articles are due Tuesday, September 3, 2013.
Please feel free to contact me over the summer with questions/comments: lbuchieri@canalwin.k12.oh.us